Handheld launching device

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for launching an object (such as a football) in the air in a spiral fashion as if thrown by a professional football player. In one version, the launcher has a generally elongated body with a handle on the proximal end and a socket for holding the football on the distal end. The socket has two concave walls facing each other on each side of the socket. It has a rubber structure on the top and a finlike design flaring outward, which enables the football to spin in the air when it is launched there from. It is operated by properly fitting the football snugly in the socket of the device and swinging the device in a forward overhead motion

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to aball-throwing device. More particularly, the invention relates to adevice that launches a football in a spiraling motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

A typical football team comprises one quarterback and five receivers.During football practice, the quarterback may become overworked whiletrying to ensure that each of the five receivers gets a workout.Moreover, since some dexterity is required to throw a football in aspiraling motion some distance down the field, substitutes for thequarterback are limited to those who possess this dexterity.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that this traditional approachleaves room for more optimal approaches.

The following are examples of specific aspects in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader, are not tobe construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodimentsthereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.One such aspect of the prior art appears to teach of a stationary devicethat allows a player to receive a hiked football without the presence ofanother player. The launcher appears to be a simply designed catapultthat may be operated with a stepping motion by the individual.

By way of educational background, another generally useful aspect of theprior art is believed to teach of a device where there is a motor-drivendevice that uses co-acting wheels to launch the football in either aspiraling motion, as in a forward pass, or in an end-over-end motion, asin a kick off. It would appear that the speed, the direction, and themanner of a football's trajectory appear to be controlled by the angularrelationship between, and the speed of, the co-acting wheels.

By way of educational background, another generally useful aspect of theprior art is believed to teach of a spring-activated device thatlaunches a football in a spiraling motion. The football appears to restin a cup and is held in place by four wheels at its midpoint. It isbelieved that a trigger releases the compressed spring, and the actionsof the spinning cup and the wheels on the ball launch it with aspiraling motion. However, these solutions appear not to provide asimple, economical, handheld device that throws an official-sizedfootball in a spiraling motion a greater distance. A solution that doesso is desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, rather than bylimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate various views of an exemplary device 100 forlaunching a football in a spiraling motion, in which FIG. 1A is frontview and FIG. 1B is a side view without a football, and FIG. 1C is afront view with a football, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for operating device 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a person using exemplary device 100, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary device 400for launching a football in a spiraling motion, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

Unless indicated, illustrations in the figures may not be drawn toscale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to thefigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, those skilled in the art will, in light of theteachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity ofalternative approaches, depending upon the needs of the particularapplication, to implement the functionality of any given detaildescribed herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in thefollowing embodiments described and shown. That is, the modificationsand variations of the invention are too numerous to be listed, but allfit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should beread as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa,where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily implythat the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the described materials, manufacturing techniques, and applications,as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology isused for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and isnot intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must benoted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “anelement” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalentsknown to those skilled in the art. Similarly, a reference to “a step” or“a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may includesubservient steps and subservient means. All conjunctions are to beunderstood in the most inclusive sense. Thus, the word “or” should beunderstood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than thatof a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitatesotherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may beconstrued to express approximation should be so understood unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms have thesame meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the artto which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices,and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices,or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be usedin the practice of, or when testing, the present invention. Structuresdescribed herein are to be understood also to refer to functionalequivalents of such structures. The present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to embodiments as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details.

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate various views of an exemplary device 100 forlaunching a football in a spiraling motion, in which FIG. 1A is frontview and FIG. 1B is a side view without a football, and FIG. 1C is afront view with a football, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the present embodiment, the elongated body 105 ofdevice 100 slightly curves rearward at a predetermined angle and has ahandle 110 with a predetermined length on the proximal end and a socket115 on the distal end. In a non-limiting example, the body 105 andhandle 110 may comprise a lightweight plastic material.

Socket 115 of device 100 comprises concave walls 120 and 125 with apredetermined radius. In the present embodiment, the left wall 120 issmaller than the right wall 125 and is topped by a gripping surface 130;the right wall 125 is larger than the left wall 120 and is topped bygripping surface 135. In a non-limiting example, the gripping surfaces130 and 135 may comprise rubber. In another non-limiting example, thesocket 115 may comprise the same gripping material as used by grippingsurfaces 130 and 135. The handle 110 also has a non-slip grippingsurface 140. In a non-limiting example, the non-slip gripping surface140 may comprise rubber. In the present embodiment socket 115 isdesigned to hold football 145.

In the present embodiment, the right wall 125 is responsible forlaunching the football 145 in a spiraling motion when the device 100 isoperated. In some embodiments, the gripping surface 135 on the top ofthe right wall 125 may have a flaring finlike design (see FIG. 4). Inthe present embodiment, the socket 115, the concave walls 120 and 125,and the gripping surfaces 130 and 135 conform to the shape of, withoutlimitation, the official National Football League-sized football 145.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for operating device 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The usersecurely places the football 145 into the socket 115 in a step 205. Tolaunch the football, the user grips the handle 110 and swings the device100 in a overhead, forward motion in a step 210. Upon release from thesocket 115, the football 145 travels in the desired direction in aspiraling motion in a step 215. The user may then either pick up anotherfootball 145 in a step 220, and repeat steps 205-215, or end theprocess.

FIG. 3 illustrates a person using exemplary device 100, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,the device 100 is handheld 150. The user launches the football 145 fromthe socket 115 by swinging the device 100 by the handle 110 in anoverhead, forward motion.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to play catch at thebeach or in a field.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to play fetch with apet.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to give away footballsto the crowd of people in a stadium.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may be used to hit cans, bottles oranything that can be used as target.

In some embodiments, the components of device 100 may be adapted for thejunior-sized football.

In an alternative embodiment, the size of the device 100 may be adaptedto the size and the throwing strength of the user.

In some embodiments, the handle 110 and the socket 115 may be joinedwith strips of thermoplast and metal screws.

In some embodiments, the combined body 105 and the handle 110 may bestraight.

In some embodiments, the combined body 105 and the handle 110 may beshorter or longer or may be adjustable.

In some embodiments, the angle of the body 105 to the socket 115 changesthe direction and/or the altitude of the football 145 when it islaunched. In a non-limiting example, a greater angle results in a poorerspiraling motion; a smaller angle results in a shorter distance andlaunches the football toward the ground.

In some embodiments, the handle 110 may comprise PVC.

In some embodiments, the socket 115 may comprise thermoplast.

In some embodiments, the socket 115 may resemble a glove withfinger-like and thumb-like gripping surfaces 130 and 135.

In some embodiments, the concave walls 120 and 125 may be reversed toaccommodate left-handed individuals.

In some embodiments, the sizes and the shapes of the gripping surfaces130 and 135 may comprise textures such as, without limitation,corrugation and a zigzagged tread.

In some embodiments, the material of gripping surface 140 may comprise anon-rubber material.

In some embodiments, the gripping surface 140 may comprise any non-slipmaterial.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary device 400for launching a football in a spiraling motion, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The design shown is otherwise likethat of device 100, except it has a more flaring finlike design 410 thatextends from the gripping surface 135 on the top of the wall 125. In anon-limiting example, the flaring design of gripping surface 130 adds tothe spiraling of football 145 when device 100 is operated. It iscontemplated that other embodiments may also implement a more flaringfinlike design at the other end as well; i.e., gripping surface 130.Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, a wide varietyof alternative designs and approaches to the finlike design 410 toimpart a desired behaviors and spiraling motions.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed and thatadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

All of the disclosures, including any accompanying abstract anddrawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the equivalentor similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, eachdisclosure is one example of a generic series of equivalent or similarfeatures.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structuresand related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose ofproviding explicit structures that implement the functional meansclaimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claimsconstruction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowabilityproperly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of thesedocuments discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC§112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searchingand or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) alsoincorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information toidentify all such documents comprising functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into thepresent patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd)parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitlyprescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missingdisclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patentand/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference forthe purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which areincorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have afiling and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application,and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in theinstant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,alternative embodiments of a ball-throwing device will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have beendescribed above by way of illustration, and the specific embodimentsdisclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed. The particular implementation of the ball-throwingdevice may vary depending upon the particular context or application. Byway of example, and not limitation, the ball-throwing device describedin the foregoing were principally directed to a device that launches afootball in a spiraling motion implementations; however, similartechniques may instead be applied to other ball shapes and sport relatedequipment, which implementations of the present invention arecontemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The inventionwill thus cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be furtherunderstood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoingspecification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects,advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

1. A device comprising: an elongated body, said elongated body is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, in which said elongated body is comprise of; a handle, said handle is configured to have a predetermined length, wherein said handle is generally disposed proximal to at least an end portion of said elongated body; a socket, said socket is configured to be operable for substantially engaging with at least one object, wherein said socket is generally disposed proximal to at least a distal end portion of said elongated body, in which said socket is comprise of; a left wall portion, said left wall portion comprises a first concave wall, said first concave wall is configured to have a predetermined radius, wherein said first concave wall is further configured to be operable for conforming to a shape of said at least one object, in which said left wall portion further comprises a first gripping surface disposed to at least a top portion of said left wall portion, and said left wall portion is configured to be operable for substantially gripping at least a first side portion of said at least one object; a right wall portion, said right wall portion comprises a second concave wall, said second concave wall is configured to have a predetermined radius, wherein said second concave wall is configured to be operable for conforming to the shape of said at least one object, in which said right wall portion further comprises a second gripping surface generally disposed to at least a top portion of said right wall portion, and in which said second gripping surface comprises a friction surface material, said friction surface material is configured to have a generally outward flaring fin shape, and said right wall portion is operable for substantially gripping at least a second side portion of said at least one object.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said left wall portion is substantially shorter than said right wall portion.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said first gripping surface comprises a friction surface material being configured to be operable for substantially securing said at least one object in said socket.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said right wall portion is substantially wider and higher than the left wall portion.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said second gripping surface further comprises a rubber material, said right wall portion being configured to be operable for substantially securing said object in said socket, in which said rubber material and said outward flaring fin shape is configured to be operable for substantially spinning said at least one object hauled in the air.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said handle comprises a non-slip gripping surface configured to be operable for substantially preventing slipping of a hand gripping said handle.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said at least one object is at least one football and said socket is configured to be operable for substantially holding said at least one football, in which said device is configured to be operable for launching said football from said socket by generally swinging the device at said handle in an overhead, forward motion.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said football generally conforms to a shape of an Official National Football League-sized football.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein said object is a junior-sized football and said socket is configured to be operable for holding said junior-sized football.
 10. The device claim 8, wherein said device is configured to be operable for launching said football in a substantially spiraling motion.
 11. The device of claim 6, wherein said socket and said handle is configured as a unitary device, in which said socket and said handle are substantially engaged with strips of thermoplast and metal screws.
 12. The device claim 10, in which said left wall portion and right wall portion are configured to be disposed in a reverse position, wherein said reversed position is configured to be operable for accommodating left-handed individuals.
 13. The device of claim 6, wherein said predetermined length of said handle is generally adjustable being configured to accommodate long or short handles.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein said left wall portion is substantially wider and higher than the right wall portion.
 15. A handheld device comprising: an elongated body, said elongated body is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, in which said elongated body is comprise of; a handle, said handle is configured to have a predetermined length, wherein said handle is disposed proximal to at least an end portion of said elongated body, in which said handle comprises a non-slip gripping surface, wherein said non-slip gripping surface is configured to be operable for substantially preventing slipping of a hand gripping said handle; a socket, said socket is configured to be operable for substantially engaging with at least one object, wherein said socket is disposed proximal to at least a distal end portion of said elongated body, in which said socket is comprise of; a right wall portion, said right wall portion comprises a first concave wall configured to have a predetermined radius, said concave wall is further configured to be operable for conforming to a shape of said at least one object, in which said right wall further comprises a first gripping surface generally disposed to at least a top portion of said right wall, wherein said first gripping surface is operable for substantially gripping a first side portion of said at least one object; a left wall portion, said left wall portion comprises a second concave wall configured to have said predetermined radius, said first concave wall is further configured to be operable for conforming to a shape of said at least one object, in which said left wall further comprises a second gripping surface disposed to at least a top portion of said left wall, wherein said second gripping surface comprises a friction surface material, said friction surface material is configured to have a generally outward flaring fin shape, and said left wall portion is configured to be operable for substantially gripping a second side portion of said at least one object, wherein said left wall portion is substantially larger than the right wall portion.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein said left wall portion is configured to be at least substantially wider and higher than the right wall portion.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said second gripping surface further comprises a rubber material, said left wall portion being configured to be capable for substantially securing said object in said socket, in which said rubber material and said outward flaring fin shape being configured to be operable for substantially spinning said at least one object hauled in the air.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein said at least one object is at least one football and said socket is configured to be capable for substantially holding said at least one football, in which said device is configured to be operable for launching said football from said socket by generally swinging the device at said handle in an overhead, forward motion.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein said football generally conforms to a shape of an Official National Football League-sized football.
 20. A handheld football launcher device comprising: an elongated body, said elongated body is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, in which said elongated body is comprise of; a handle, said handle is configured to curve rearwards at a predetermined angle, and said handle is configured to have an adjustable length, wherein said handle is generally disposed proximal to at least an end portion of said elongated body, in which said handle comprises at least a non-slip gripping surface material, said non-slip gripping surface material is configured to be operable for at least preventing slipping of a hand gripping said handle; a socket, said socket is configured to be operable for substantially engaging with at least one football object, wherein said socket is generally disposed proximal to at least a distal end portion of said elongated body, in which said socket is comprise of; a right wall portion, said right wall portion comprises a first concave wall, said right wall portion is configured to have a predetermined radius, and said right wall is further configured to be operable for at least conforming to a shape of said at least one football object, in which said right wall further comprises a first gripping surface generally disposed on a top portion of said right wall, wherein said first gripping surface is configured to be operable for substantially gripping a first side portion of said at least one object; a left wall portion, said left wall portion is substantially larger that the right wall portion, and said left wall portion comprises a second concave wall, wherein said second concave wall is configured to have a predetermined radius, and wherein said second concave wall is configured to be operable for conforming to the shape of said at least one object, in which said left wall further comprises a second gripping surface, said second gripping surface is disposed to at least a top portion of said left wall, wherein said second gripping surface comprises a rubber material, said second gripping surface is configured to have a generally outward flaring fin shape, wherein said second gripping surface is configured to be operable for substantially gripping a second side portion of said at least one football object; wherein said handheld football launching device is configured to be operable for launching said football from said socket by generally swinging said device at said handle in an overhead, forward motion, and wherein said outward flaring fin shape is operable for substantially spinning said football hauled in the air. 